Expert: Don Wood - 4/30/2002

Question
I apologize, but this is going to be 10 questions. You'd be saving my bum if you answered these :)

How would you define your job?
What does your average day involve? How many hours do you work?
What education or training is required for this job?
Is there a union?
How has the job changed since you stared?
What is your advice for entering this field/market today?
AAAND
What are the benefits (salary, insurance, stocks, etc.)

Thank you very very much in advance for taking the time to answer these questions.
-Brandon

Answer
My job is to supply the memories of events for people. It may be a joyful occasion, wedding, birth of a child, a death, (yes, I have taken pictures at funerals), a trip, etc.
The job has changed to emphasize color much more than when I started when it was primarily B/W. Also with the advent of digital cameras and the use of scanners, computers one has to study hard to keep up with the technology.
Since the color is usually processed by a professional lab, I have little work to do in the darkroom. It has been several years since I've actually done anything in it. Usually the day is spent waiting for customers, sometimes I have work to do on the computer in preparing pics for the customer. I use Paint Shop Pro 6 and Photoshop 5.5 quite a lot.
Education is learning how to learn. You will continue the learning the longer you are in photography. You will constantly training your mind and eye to look for the angles that will give you the pix you want.  College today is helpful, both on the photojournalism side and the studio side. You will continue learning your trade through the attending of seminars, meetings, etc. Even the customers will train you. You can also learn the basics by apprenticing to an experienced photog. You will experience periods of idleness (many of these) and periods of extreme work where there is barely enough time to do the jobs you have accepted (few of these periods).
I have been a sole proprietor of a modest studio so as far as benefits I have seen few benefits such as steady salary, insurance, stock, etc other than what I have been able to provide through my work.
If you are involved in cine ( television or movies ) these are the industries that do have unions.
I hope to have helped you. Please read some of the threads of my answers, I have been asked many times these same questions. Thanks for asking.
Don